Dan Hughes delivered a masterful first century of the season, putting Sussex in a commanding position against Leicestershire at Hove, but a flurry of reckless strokes handed the visitors a lifeline on day two of this Rothesay County Championship Division One clash.

At 196-2, Sussex looked set to build an imposing lead at the County Ground. Hughes, anchoring the innings with grit and flair, seemed to have his side firmly in control. However, Leicestershire, spearheaded by on-loan fast bowler Tom Helm, clawed their way back into the contest as Sussex's middle order succumbed to poor shot selection.

The day began with Sussex on 3-0, and batting quickly proved treacherous. Tom Clark fell in the fourth over, edging a delivery from Helm that straightened sharply, with Rishi Patel taking a sharp catch at first slip. Helm struck again in his next over, dismissing Dan Ibrahim—who replaced the unwell Tom Haines—with another straight ball that found Patel's safe hands once more.

Helm, on loan from Middlesex, was the standout bowler, extracting bounce and movement with a purposeful, straight approach. The worry for Leicestershire, missing the injured Josh Davey, was that the rest of the attack lacked his class, though Ben Green posed occasional threats.

Ian Holland opened the bowling alongside Helm, and Hughes frequently danced down the pitch to attack the Leicestershire captain. Jack Leaning struggled in the opening hour, surviving a plausible lbw appeal from Green. At lunch, Sussex were 125-2, with Hughes on 77 not out and Leaning unbeaten on 28.

Hughes reached his century—out of 154—with a square drive off Holland to the point boundary. When Ben Cox missed a stumping chance off Ajaz Patel with Leaning on 44, Leicestershire must have wondered where their next wicket would come from. But Sussex came to their aid. Leaning had just ground out a patient fifty off 131 balls, but a series of poor strokes from Hughes, Leaning, and James Coles allowed the visitors back into the game, keeping the contest finely poised.